Resource Directory for African Women Journalists
Press Freedom Resources
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Economic and political changes sweeping the African continent have greatly affected the ways reporters work. In many African countries, restrictive press laws and human rights violations inhibit journalists from reporting even the most basic truths, and often force them into dangerous situations. Women journalists are often seen as the most vulnerable to political pressure and need to know where they can find sources of support.
The following list includes information about and links to some of the world's most powerful
and active press freedom organisations. Some of the organisations work
to provide a mantle of protection to journalists in danger. Others offer
media programs supporting free expression as a fundamental human right.
These contacts can be critical to journalists who are being threatened
and/or harassed. Their work and resources should be familiar to all journalists
committed to free expression.
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Amnesty International (AI) <http://www.amnesty.org> Amnesty International campaigns to free prisoners of conscience; ensure fair and prompt trials for political prisoners; abolish the death penalty, torture and other cruel treatment of prisoners; end political killings and "disappearances;" and oppose human rights abuses. International Secretariat |
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Article 19 - The International Centre Against Censorship <http://www.article19.org> Contact: Andrew Puddepat, Executive Director |
| Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE) <http://www.cjfe.org> CJFE, (formerly the Canadian Committee to Protect Journalists) campaigns against censorship and abuses suffered by journalists, writers and media organisations around the world. Since 1992, it has operated IFEX - the world's only freedom of expression and press freedom information clearing-house (see IFEX). 489 College Street, Suite 403 |
| The Committee to Protect Journalists, (CPJ) <http://www.cpj.org> CPJ monitors and protests abuses against journalists and their news organisations. CPJ organises vigorous campaigns at all levels and, when necessary, works behind the scenes through governmental and other channels to effect change. CPJ also provides safety training to journalists and practical information in an emergency, before travel and during an assignment. 330 Seventh Avenue |
| If you are in need of emergency aid or
would like to report an attack on the press: Call CPJ at (1) 212- 465-1004. Call collect if necessary. Fax (1) 212-465-9568. Or, send an Email to africa@cpj.org |
Free Expression Ghana <http://www.ifex.org/members/feg> Works for freedom of expression in Ghana. Contact: Joe Baidoe-Ansah |
| Freedom House <http://www.freedomhouse.org> Freedom House promotes democracy around the world through various surveys and programs, including monitoring human rights and elections and supporting the rule of law, free media and effective local governance. Their report, "The Survey Of Press Freedom," measures the level of press freedom in 187 countries. 120 Wall Street |
| Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) <http://www.fxi.org.za> FXI is founded on the belief that South Africa is in an early stage of building a democracy and strong institutions are required to campaign for and uphold democratic values such as freedom of speech and expression. The institute's work involves monitoring and research functions, litigation, educational activities and campaigns. P.O. Box 30668 |
| Human Rights Watch (HRW) <http://www.hrw.org> Including a separate division monitoring Africa, HRW works to end a broad range of human rights abuses, including summary executions, torture, arbitrary detention, restrictions on the freedoms of expression and others. Contact: Cynthia Brown, Program Director |
| Independent Journalism Center IJC works for the independence of the media and to extend the frontiers of freedom of expression in Nigeria. Its programs include research, campaigns, publishing and training. The centre publishes Media Monitor, an authoritative weekly digest of developments within the Nigerian media scene, and Covering Diversity, a resource and training manual for African journalists. Tejumola House (1st Floor) |
| Index on Censorship <http://www.indexoncensorship.org> A bi-monthly magazine for free speech, which widens the debates on freedom through interviews, reportage, banned literature and polemic. Index on Censorship shows how free speech affects the political issues of the moment. It's indexindex is a country-by-country update of free speech abuses and censorship chronicle incorporating information from more than 16 other press freedom organisations. Contact: Ursula Owen, Editor-in-Chief |
| International Association of Women in Radio and Television (IAWRT) <http://www.iawrt.org> The IAWRT is a forum for personal contact and professional development among women broadcasters around the world. Contact: Gundel Krauss Dahl, President |
| International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) <http://www.ifj.org> The IFS is the world's largest organization of journalists, representing 500,000 journalists in more than 100 countries. Rue Royale 266 |
| International Freedom of Expression Exchange <http://www.ifex.org> IFEX is comprised of nearly 40 different freedom of expression groups. It operates an Action Alert Network that turns spotlights from around the world on those who violate press freedom, and publishes the weekly Communiquè providing regular updates on developments in the freedom of expression community. Contact: Sharmini Peries, Executive Director |
| The International Press Institute (IPI) <http://www.freemedia.at> IPI operates in almost 90 countries and represents leading journalists and editors-in-chief from newspapers, magazines, broadcasting organisations and news agencies, as well as publishers who are directly responsible for the editorial content. IPI frequently hosts conferences and seminars on issues bearing upon press freedom, and involves itself in educational and professional concerns of the media. Among its many publications are the annual World Press Freedom Review, and a bi-monthly review of media matters throughout the world. Contact: John Fritz, Director |
Journalists Safety Service
Joh. Vermeerstraat 22 1071 DR |
| The Media Institute <http://www.kenyanews.com> Provides articles, commentary and information on Kenya. Contact: David Makali, Director |
| Network for the Defence of Independent Media in Africa (NDIMA) <http://www.oneworld.org/ndima> NDIMA works to promote freedom of expression and human rights and has members in over 22 countries around the world. NDIMA has established six programmes: election monitoring; operation fREADom (working with restricted writers); NDIMA Special Reports; NDIMAlert; Ngao (the monthly newsletter); and Letter from Nairobi (a weekly topical commentary on cultural, political and social issues. P.O Box 70147 |
| Reporters Without Borders/ Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF) <http://www.rsf.fr> RSF, which has branches or members in more than 80 countries, is an independent organisation that defends the freedom to inform and to be informed. Its activities include organising protests and campaigns to free jailed journalists; publicising violations of press freedom; publishing a monthly newsletter, annual report and special reports on press freedom; providing financial assistance to victims of repression; and organising professional conferences for journalists. 5 Rue Geoffroy Marie |
| World Association of Christian Communication (WACC) <http://www.wacc.org.uk> WACC supports communication that is democratic, open to all and empowering. Contact: Maria del Nevo, Program Officer, WACC Women's Program |
| World Association of Newspapers (WAN) <http://www.wan-press.org> WAN groups 52 newspaper publishers associations in 50 countries, individual newspaper executives in 73 nations, 15 national and international news agencies, a media foundation and 7 affiliated regional press organisations - collectively representing more than 15,000 publications on the five continents. WAN works to defend and promote press freedom and the economic independence of newspapers. Its wide range of activities include educational training of newspaper staff world-wide, financial support and more. Contact: Larry Kilman, Director of Communication |
| World Press Freedom Committee <http://www.wpfc.org> The World Press Freedom Committee is an umbrella organisation that includes 44 journalistic groups on six continents -- print and broadcast, labour and management, journalists, editors, publishers and owners united in the defence and promotion of press freedom. Activities include: "watchdog" activities for free news media; more than 150 completed training programs, seminars and how-to journalistic manuals and more. 11690-C Sunrise Valley Dr. |
| Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN <http://www.internatpen.org> PEN connects an international community of writers with a common concern for the craft and art of writing and a commitment to freedom of expression. Members of PEN's Writers in Prison Committee send letters to the governments concerned and lobby their own governments to campaign for the release of detained writers and for investigations in cases of torture and killings. 9/10 Charterhouse Buildings |